🐉 What is the AWP Dragon Lore?
The AWP | Dragon Lore is widely considered the most iconic and recognizable skin in Counter-Strike history. Even people who have never played CS:GO or CS2 have likely heard of it. First introduced in 2014 as part of the Cobblestone Collection, the Dragon Lore has become the definitive status symbol in CS2 — a skin so legendary that its name is synonymous with virtual luxury.
The skin features an olive-green body adorned with a detailed fire-breathing dragon rendered in a medieval manuscript style, accented with Celtic knotwork patterns. The scope, barrel, and stock sport a black-and-green checkered pattern, balancing mythological fantasy with tactical realism. The design draws inspiration from illuminated manuscripts and ancient dragon mythology, giving the AWP an ornate, almost relic-like quality.
Flavor Text: "200 keys could never unlock its secrets"
This guide covers:
- Complete history of the Dragon Lore and the Cobblestone Collection
- Wear & float breakdown with pricing for every condition
- Souvenir Dragon Lore variants and what makes them worth $200,000+
- Sticker craft guide — the most iconic applied combinations
- Price history from $300 at release to $12,800+ today
- Investment outlook and supply dynamics
🔎 Check Current Dragon Lore Prices
Compare AWP | Dragon Lore prices across 13+ marketplaces instantly on SteamAnalyst to find the best deal before you buy or trade.
Featured: AWP | Dragon Lore
The Dragon Lore is the most famous skin in Counter-Strike history. Its medieval dragon artwork, limited supply, and Souvenir variants make it the ultimate collector's item and status symbol in CS2.
Price Range: ~$3,500 (BS) - $200,000+ (Souvenir FN)
📊 Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Weapon | AWP |
| Collection | Cobblestone Collection |
| Released | 2014 |
| Rarity | Covert (Red) |
| Available Wears | Factory New – Battle-Scarred |
| Float Range | 0.00 – 1.00 |
| StatTrak Available | No |
| Souvenir Available | Yes (discontinued) |
| Base Price (2025) | ~$12,800+ (Factory New) |
📜 History & Why It's Legendary
The Cobblestone Collection
The Dragon Lore was introduced as part of the Cobblestone Collection, one of CS:GO's original map-based collections tied to the competitive map de_cobblestone. During Major Championships, viewers could earn Cobblestone Souvenir Packages by watching matches played on Cobblestone. These packages were the only source of Souvenir Dragon Lores — arguably the single most valuable variant of any skin in the game.
The Cobblestone Removal
When Cobblestone was removed from the Active Duty map pool and later from Major tournament rotations entirely, the supply of new Souvenir Dragon Lores was permanently cut off. No new Cobblestone Souvenir Packages can be earned, meaning the existing supply of Souvenir Dragon Lores is finite and will only decrease over time as skins are lost to trade bans, VAC bans, and abandoned accounts.
Regular Dragon Lores can still technically be obtained through trade-up contracts using other Cobblestone Collection skins, but the cost of such trade-ups is enormous — often matching or exceeding the market price of the skin itself — making meaningful new supply effectively nonexistent.
Cultural Impact
The Dragon Lore has transcended the CS2 community to become a recognized symbol of virtual luxury goods globally. It has been featured in mainstream media discussions about the value of digital assets, and "Dragon Lore" is often the first skin name mentioned in any conversation about expensive gaming items. Professional players who have received Dragon Lore drops during Major tournaments have had their reactions broadcast to hundreds of thousands of viewers, creating some of the most memorable moments in CS esports history.
📈 Price Milestone
In early 2025, a Souvenir AWP Dragon Lore with a winning team's signatures reportedly sold for approximately $74,000 in a private sale. The skin had been held since 2017. Compared to 2023 valuations of ~$62,000, this represents roughly 15–20% year-over-year appreciation.
🎨 Wear & Float Guide
The Dragon Lore is available in all five wear conditions. Float value has a dramatic impact on both visual appearance and price.
Factory New (0.00 – 0.07)
The most pristine condition. The dragon artwork is fully vibrant with zero scratching or fading. Green tones are rich and Celtic patterns are crisp. Ultra-low floats (sub-0.01) command significant premiums.
| Float Range | Visual Quality | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0.00 – 0.01 | Flawless, collector-grade | $18,000 – $25,000+ |
| 0.01 – 0.03 | Excellent, minimal micro-scratches | $14,000 – $18,000 |
| 0.03 – 0.07 | Clean, standard FN | $12,800 – $14,000 |
Minimal Wear (0.07 – 0.15)
Very similar to Factory New with only minor scratching visible on close inspection. Low-float MW copies (0.07–0.09) are considered excellent value alternatives to FN.
Price Range: $8,000 – $12,000
Field-Tested (0.15 – 0.38)
The most commonly traded wear condition. Visible scratching and some fading, particularly around stock and barrel. This is the entry-level Dragon Lore for most collectors.
Price Range: $5,000 – $7,500
Well-Worn (0.38 – 0.45)
Noticeable wear with fading colors and significant scratching. The dragon design remains recognizable but lacks the vibrancy of better conditions.
Price Range: $4,000 – $5,500
Battle-Scarred (0.45 – 1.00)
Heavy wear with substantial paint loss and fading. Despite poor condition, Battle-Scarred Dragon Lores still command high prices due to the skin's prestige and name recognition alone.
Price Range: $3,500 – $4,500
Wear Pricing Summary
| Condition | Float Range | Approx. Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory New | 0.00 – 0.07 | $12,800 – $25,000+ | Ultra-low float = major premium |
| Minimal Wear | 0.07 – 0.15 | $8,000 – $12,000 | Best value for near-FN looks |
| Field-Tested | 0.15 – 0.38 | $5,000 – $7,500 | Entry point for most collectors |
| Well-Worn | 0.38 – 0.45 | $4,000 – $5,500 | Noticeable wear, budget option |
| Battle-Scarred | 0.45 – 1.00 | $3,500 – $4,500 | Heavy wear, still prestigious |
✨ Souvenir Dragon Lore
The Souvenir Dragon Lore is the "holy grail" of CS2 skins — the single most prestigious and valuable variant of an already legendary item.
What Makes Souvenir Different?
| Feature | Regular Dragon Lore | Souvenir Dragon Lore |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Trade-up contracts | Cobblestone Souvenir Packages (Majors only) |
| Stickers | None (applied by owner) | Pre-applied gold tournament stickers |
| Still obtainable? | Yes (via expensive trade-ups) | No — permanently discontinued |
| Supply | Slowly growing | Fixed and declining |
| FN copies | Limited but available | Estimated ~15 in existence |
Value Factors for Souvenir Dragon Lores
The value of a Souvenir Dragon Lore depends heavily on:
- Wear condition — Factory New Souvenir copies are extraordinarily rare
- Tournament — Certain Majors carry more prestige (early Katowice events especially)
- MVP signature — Dragon Lores signed by legendary AWP players (kennyS, s1mple, ZywOo) command massive premiums
- Sticker placement — Clean placement on the scope is most desirable
Souvenir Pricing Tiers
| Tier | Description | Approx. Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Trophy | FN + iconic MVP signature | $150,000 – $200,000+ |
| Premium | FN or low-float MW, good stickers | $50,000 – $150,000 |
| Collector | MW/FT with desirable signatures | $30,000 – $50,000 |
| Entry | FT/WW/BS, standard stickers | $15,000 – $30,000 |
⚠️ Authentication Warning
Due to the extreme values involved, always verify Souvenir Dragon Lore authenticity before purchasing. Check sticker integrity, float values, and trade history through trusted inspection tools. Use reputable marketplaces with escrow services for transactions above $10,000.
🏷️ Sticker Crafts & Applied Value
The Dragon Lore is one of the most popular base skins for high-value sticker crafts, with certain combinations reaching six figures in total value.
Most Iconic Dragon Lore Crafts
| Craft | Stickers | Est. Added Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x iBUYPOWER (Holo) | Katowice 2014 | $400,000+ | The ultimate Dragon Lore craft |
| 4x Titan (Holo) | Katowice 2014 | $500,000+ | Each Titan Holo valued at ~$130,000 |
| 4x Reason Gaming (Holo) | Katowice 2014 | $100,000+ | Among the rarest Kato 2014 holos |
| 4x Crown (Foil) | — | $3,000 – $5,000 | Most accessible premium craft |
| Major MVP signatures | Various | Varies | AWP players add thematic value |
Sticker Placement Guide
| Position | Visibility | Value Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Highest — always visible | Best position, highest premium |
| Body (front) | High — visible during gameplay | Second most impactful |
| Body (rear) | Medium — visible on inspect | Moderate premium |
| Stock | Low — rarely visible | Minimal impact |
📊 Compare stickered Dragon Lore prices across marketplaces on SteamAnalyst to find the best deal on crafted copies.
📈 Price History & Investment Outlook
Historical Price Evolution
| Year | Event | Approx. FN Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Release in Cobblestone Collection | $300 – $500 |
| 2016 | Market dip (gambling regulation) | $800 – $1,200 |
| 2018–2019 | Steady appreciation, market maturation | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| 2021–2022 | Skin market boom | $6,000 – $9,000 |
| 2023 | CS2 announcement spike | $10,000 – $14,000 |
| 2024 | Post-CS2 correction then stabilization | $11,000 – $13,000 |
| 2025 | Consistent trading above $12,800 | $12,800 – $20,000+ |
Supply Dynamics
The Dragon Lore benefits from several supply-side factors supporting long-term price appreciation:
- No new Souvenir supply — Cobblestone packages permanently discontinued
- Trade-up cost floor — Creating a new Dragon Lore costs roughly market price, preventing arbitrage
- Natural attrition — Skins permanently lost through trade bans, VAC bans, abandoned accounts
- Cultural permanence — "Most famous skin" status is self-reinforcing across market cycles
🎯 Loadout Pairing Suggestions
The Dragon Lore pairs best with medieval, fantasy, and green/gold themed loadouts.
Glove Pairings
| Gloves | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Specialist Gloves - Emerald Web | Green tones complement the Dragon Lore's olive body |
| Sport Gloves - Hedge Maze | Deep green leather matches the medieval aesthetic |
| Hand Wraps - Giraffe | Golden-brown tones match the Celtic accents |
| Moto Gloves - Spearmint | Clean green pairs perfectly with the base color |
Knife Pairings
| Knife | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Butterfly Knife - Lore | Same "Lore" design family — cohesive theme |
| Karambit - Lore | Golden blade with green handle mirrors Dragon Lore's palette |
| M9 Bayonet - Gamma Doppler (Emerald) | Deep green complements the Dragon Lore perfectly |
| Karambit - Tiger Tooth | Gold metallic accent for a luxury feel |
🛒 Where to Buy — Marketplace Comparison
Dragon Lore prices vary significantly across marketplaces. Always compare on SteamAnalyst across our 13+ integrated marketplaces before purchasing.
Buying Checklist
- Float verification — Always check exact float value; small differences can mean thousands of dollars
- Screenshot inspection — Review in-game screenshots to assess visual condition beyond float numbers
- Sticker integrity — If purchasing a stickered Dragon Lore, verify sticker authenticity and scratch %
- Souvenir authentication — For Souvenir copies, verify tournament stickers match known packages
- Trade lock status — Check whether the skin has an active trade lock
- Buyer protection — Use marketplaces with escrow services for purchases above $5,000
🔍 Compare Prices Across 13+ Marketplaces
Don't overpay — check real-time prices for every skin in this guide on SteamAnalyst. We aggregate pricing from Buff163, Skinport, CSFloat, DMarket, Steam Market, and more so you always get the best deal.
❓ Dragon Lore FAQ
Can I still unbox a Dragon Lore?
No, you cannot directly unbox a Dragon Lore from any case. You can technically obtain one through a trade-up contract using 10 Classified (pink) skins from the Cobblestone Collection. However, the cost of the input skins makes this prohibitively expensive — often matching or exceeding the Dragon Lore's market price.
What's the difference between a regular and Souvenir Dragon Lore?
Souvenir Dragon Lores came exclusively from Cobblestone Souvenir Packages dropped during CS:GO Major Championships. They feature pre-applied gold tournament stickers and cannot be crafted or unboxed. They are permanently discontinued and significantly rarer and more expensive than regular Dragon Lores.
Is the Dragon Lore a good investment?
Historically, the Dragon Lore has shown strong long-term appreciation, supported by limited supply and enduring cultural demand. It has appreciated from ~$300 at release to $12,800+ over a decade. However, as with all skin investments, short-term prices can be volatile, and past performance does not guarantee future returns.
Why is it called "Dragon Lore"?
The name references the medieval dragon mythology depicted on the skin, styled after illuminated manuscripts and Celtic art. The "lore" aspect ties into the idea of ancient knowledge and legends about dragons — fitting for a skin that has become legendary in its own right.
How rare is a Factory New Dragon Lore?
Factory New Dragon Lores are genuinely rare. The Cobblestone Collection has a standard float distribution, but FN requires a float below 0.07. Combined with the limited supply pipeline (expensive trade-ups only), FN copies are scarce. Ultra-low float FN copies (sub-0.01) are exceptionally rare and command premiums of $5,000+ over standard FN pricing.
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